Why should I get an American Express Gold Card? (paying, credit, business) - Personal Finance -debt, loans, credit cards, banks, insurance... - City-Data Forum

kanhawk · 05-30-2010, 11:37 PM

I keep getting advertisements to get this card. It has a $125 annual fee(waived the first year) and some other goodies like a points program which I never use anyway.
I have a Visa which has no annual fee so why should I get this card that costs $125 a year? What am I missing about what so great about American Express cards?

StoneOne · 05-31-2010, 07:32 AM

Customer service is generally a lot better. There are probably other perks (especially travel-related) that are better than with your visa. There's a certain prestige that comes with Amex Gold.

It's up to you to decide whether it's worth $125 a year, especially when there are plenty of businesses that don't take Amex (most do, but some still take only Visa and MC).

I use Amex for my business and love it, but I carry only MC and Visa as personal cards. If I my personal cards were to ever institute annual fees, I'd almost certainly switch to Amex, as the rewards and customer service are superior.

maschuette · 05-31-2010, 09:33 AM

I dont get any credit card with an annual expense because if you stop using it then you will still have to pay, and it hurts your credit to cancel a credit card.

Padgett2 · 05-31-2010, 09:47 AM

Your question, "Why should I get an .........?" Well, for starters, it would make American Express happy to have you as a customer. Other than that, I can't see a good reason. The yearly fee would have to be offset by an equal amount of goodies.

We have some type of AMEX card, I can't remember which one, that pays a certain % towards a yearly credit to the account. No yearly fee, and we earn about $300 per year just on groceries, pharmacy and gasoline.

flyonpa · 05-31-2010, 09:51 AM

If your travel alot, Many Airlines Amex (Delta.Cont) give you 'free' bags if you have/use there attached amex card, Also amex has great cust support, I;ve never had to sit in some touch-tone queue. Also has rental car coverage

Jaggy001 · 05-31-2010, 10:25 AM

Agree with Amex customer service. Outstanding. I have had Amex Optima as my only CC for 10 years and I am very satisfied.

Amex have a range of cards. You need to look at the features of each one and decide what works for you.

golfgod · 05-31-2010, 04:11 PM

Rental car coverage is no deal. Your rental cars are covered by YOUR car insurance. Even when I travelled a lot I didn't have an AMEX because they jobbed me on something back in 1975. Haven't done business with them since and never will.

Customer service? What does that even mean? The only customer service I've had with my CC companies has been sending me a bill and me paying it. How good do they have to be to do that.

Oh, and a couple of times my CC number has been stolen. When that happens THEY call me, ask a couple of questons, cancel the cards and OVERNIGHT me new ones. Again that just requires a decent algorithm on their computer to detect possible fraud and having people on staff who can dial a phone and contact me. AMEX has no corner on that market.

mukeshkkashyap · 06-02-2010, 07:22 AM

I get an American Express Gold Card I get this card that costs $125 a year? What am I missing about what so great about American Express cards? This is really reliable an convenient.

skeet09 · 06-02-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padgett2

We have some type of AMEX card, I can't remember which one, that pays a certain % towards a yearly credit to the account. No yearly fee, and we earn about $300 per year just on groceries, pharmacy and gasoline.

It's Blue Cash!

I have the same one too and I earn about $200 which is credited to my statement on my anniversary date with them.

Oildog · 06-03-2010, 11:03 AM

I used to have one, and was even offered Platinum. But I asked myself the same question you are asking. Plenty of places will give me a card for free. I got rid of it.